Thrushwood Farms, located in Galesburg, Ill., is known for its high-quality fresh pork products, as well as its selection of smoked meats. The company was founded by Jim and Kae Hankes in 1977. Thanks to the energy crisis that was occurring in the country then, they were unable to get a natural gas permit.

“The utility companies had quit giving those out because there was a shortage, so we built the building as an all-electric building,” says Jim. The Hankes worked with a nearby company to install a heat reclaim unit to warm the offices, retail space, breakrooms and bathrooms in the facility. It also installed a system for pre-heating hot water before it went to the water heater.